Red-crested Pochard
Least ConcernNetta rufina
Visual Identification
Red-crested Pochard
Appearance
The Red-crested Pochard is a striking diving duck, with males displaying a vibrant red bill and head, contrasting with a black breast and brown body. Their distinctive rounded, orange-red crest is often raised, enhancing their unique profile.
Females are more subdued in colouration, featuring a uniform brown plumage with pale cheeks and throat. Both sexes have a noticeable white wing patch visible in flight, and juveniles resemble females but with duller plumage.
After breeding, males go into an eclipse plumage, where their plumage becomes less vibrant, similar to females. They do keep their red bill, which is a useful way of telling the sexes apart.
Size
Length
53cm to 57cm
Wingspan
85cm to 100cm
Weight
900g to 1.4kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Red-crested Pochards inhabit freshwater lakes, slow-flowing rivers, and coastal lagoons with abundant submerged vegetation. Their range extends across Eurasia, from Spain to Central Asia, with significant populations in countries like Spain, Romania, and Russia.
In winter, many birds migrate to southern Europe, North Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. In the UK, they are mainly winter visitors, with small breeding populations in southeast England.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Red-crested Pochards primarily feed on aquatic plants, including pondweeds, stoneworts, and algae. They dive to depths of 1-2 meters to forage, using their specialised bills to filter plant matter from the water.
Occasionally, they supplement their diet with small aquatic invertebrates and fish, particularly when stolen from other nearby birds. Tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, crabs, and molluscs are also sometimes eaten but are not a major element of their diet.
Behaviour
Red-crested Pochards are gregarious, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They are excellent divers, frequently submerging to forage for aquatic plants.
During courtship, males perform elaborate head-bobbing displays and whistle to attract females.
Vocalisation
Red-crested Pochards are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship, males produce a distinctive, high-pitched whistle, often described as a 'weeeooo' sound. Females make a low, raspy 'krrr' call, particularly when alarmed or communicating with ducklings.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Red-crested Pochards typically begins in April. Males court females with elaborate displays, including head-bobbing and whistling calls. Pairs often form during migration or on wintering grounds.
Females construct nests close to water, hidden in dense vegetation, or frequently reuse abandoned nests by other waterfowl. The nest is a shallow depression lined with down, where they lay 8-12 eggs, which can be pale green or cream-coloured.
Incubation lasts about 26-28 days, carried out solely by the female, who covers the nest with feathers when she takes a brief break to feed. Ducklings are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching and fledge after 45-50 days.
Lifespan
The Red-crested Pochard typically lives for 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 12.9 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Red-crested Pochards face threats from habitat loss and degradation of wetlands.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring their breeding and wintering habitats, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them on large, open bodies of water with abundant aquatic vegetation
- Observe their diving behavior as they submerge for longer periods than dabbling ducks
- Listen for the male's distinctive whistling call during breeding season
- In the UK, visit wetland reserves in East Anglia for the best chances of spotting them
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Red-crested Duck
Family:
AnatidaePredators
Did You Know?
- The Red-crested Pochard's scientific name, Netta rufina, means 'red-haired duck' in Latin.
- They can dive up to 30 seconds to forage for food.
- In some regions, they are known to hybridise with other duck species.
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References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Netta rufina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680348A86012189.
View source - 3 4
report, 2015: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source